FOLLOWING an Ofsted inspection, a secondary school in Carlisle has been branded as 'Requires Improvement'. 

Richard Rose Central Academy, on Victoria Road, was inspected by the regulator on June 8, 2022. 

A spokesperson on behalf of the education provider have criticised the report by saying that they 'do not agree' with the judgement, and they will look to raise their concerns with Ofsted.

The Ofsted report branded the high school, which is part of the United Learning multi-academy trust, as 'requiring improvement' in all areas including; quality of education; behaviour and attitudes; personal development; leadership and management and sixth-form provision. 

Previously, the academy was rated 'Good' in its last inspection in 2017.

Since the previous inspection, there have been considerable changes to the leadership of the school, including the appointment of a new headteacher, a new senior leadership team and several new subject leaders.

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The report critiqued curriculum content not being finalised, a variability in how well teachers implement the new behaviour policy, low attendance of pupils with SEND and that some pupils in the sixth form do not attend or engage in the enrichment activities and wider personal development experiences that the school provides as part of their programmes of study. 

More positively, however, the report reads: "Pupils, and students in the sixth form, told inspectors that the school had changed for the better in recent years. Pupils said that in the past bullying was common. This is no longer the case." 

In response following the report, a spokesperson from United Learning said: “Ofsted visited in early June and were clear that parents and students had noticed strong improvements across the school over the past 18 months with high expectations of student behaviour and achievement.

"This trajectory of improvement has continued at pace, buoyed by some strong exam results in the summer and a very positive beginning to the new academic year.

"Ofsted also noted that ‘leaders are navigating this school through a period of considerable change’ and, because of this, judged that the school Requires Improvement.

"We do not agree with this judgement and have raised our concerns with Ofsted," they said.

READ MORE: Academy 'requires improvement' following Ofsted inspection